BMW will be the Central Feature Marque at the 2016 Goodwood Festival of Speed, scheduled for 23-26 June at Goodwood House and the 1.16-mile Goodwood hill climb in West Sussex, England. The company will take center stage at the Festival to honor its centenary year.
Epitomizing this year’s Festival of Speed theme — ‘Full Throttle — The Endless Pursuit of Power’ — the Central Feature will celebrate BMW’s myriad motorsport successes. Taking a starring role on the sculpture created by Gerry Judah will be the BMW 328 Mille Miglia Roadster, the Gordon Murray-designed Brabham-BMW BT52 and the Le Mans-winning BMW V12 LMR.
Visitors will be able to see and hear many products from BMW’s past that continue to make their mark on the company today. Cars steering their way up Goodwood’s famous course include a 1957 BMW 507, the Mille Miglia-winning BMW 328 Touring Coupe from 1940 and a 1965 BMW 1800 TiSA — an early example of BMW’s success in touring car racing. Meanwhile, motorbike enthusiasts will be treated to an array of classic and modern bikes including a 1966 BMW R50 S Kaczor, a 1976 BMW R90 S 76 and legendary WR 750 Kompressor from 1929.
The Earl of March, Chairman of the Goodwood Group of Companies said, “In its 100-year history, BMW has created many landmark cars, and has an exceptional motorsport heritage in Formula 1, Formula 2, at Le Mans, and in a variety of touring car series around the world. BMW has been one of the Festival’s most loyal and enthusiastic partners for 19 years. I am thrilled to be celebrating their centenary, and our long-standing relationship, with a BMW Central Feature. The sculpture will feature three cars which epitomise BMW’s competitive instincts and pursuit of technology in creating the ultimate driving machine.”
The 2016 Festival of Speed will also celebrate the 100th running of the Indianapolis 500, mark 50 years since the inaugural Can-Am Series for sports prototypes and pay tribute to James Hunt on the 40th anniversary of his Formula 1 World Championship success with McLaren in 1976.
For more information, visit Goodwood.com.
[Source: Goodwood; photos: Tim Scott / Fluid Images]
